The Rev. Dr. Aaron Manderbach

SALISBURY — The Rev. Dr. Aaron Manderbach, 105, of Redding, Conn., rector emeritus of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Ridgefield, Conn., died April 29, 2018, in Redding.

He was the husband of Judith Laurence Marin Manderbach. 

“Aaron,” as he was affectionately known, was born at Fox Chase in Philadelphia, Pa., on Oct. 4, 1912. 

He attended schools in Pennsylvania, received his B.A. degree from Temple University in 1934, his M. Div. from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in 1937 and D.D. from Yale in 1974. He was made a deacon in May 1937 and ordained a priest by the late Bishop Tait in the Diocese of Pennsylvania in December 1937.

He married Emma Marie Hollander in 1938; Emma died in 1966. In 1968, he married Judith Laurence Marin. 

The Rev. Aaron Manderbach began his ministry as assistant to the Rev. Dr. Granville Taylor at the Chapel of the Mediator in West Philadelphia, from 1937 to 1940. 

He was appointed vicar of Trinity Church, Collingdale, Pa.,  in 1940 and served until 1945. In 1945 he was appointed Vicar of Saint Faith Church, Brookline (Havertown), where he became the first rector in 1948. 

Saint Stephen’s Church, Ridgefield, Conn., called him to be rector in 1950; he retired in 1980. He was named Rector Emeritus on Dec. 21, 2003.  

Among the activities in which Rev. Manderbach participated are: Berkeley Divinity School Graduate Society, secretary-treasurer 1960-61, vice president 1961-62, president 1962-1965, B.D.S. alumni council, 1975-80. 

While serving as the first Dean of the Mid-Fairfield Deanery from 1974-76, he was a member of the Diocesan Executive Council. He was a member of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Laymen, 1953-1964. 

The Diocesan Convention elected him a member of the Cathedral Chapter, 1974-78, and a member of the Diocesan Scholarship Committee, 1986-96. He served as a member of the Diocesan Retired Clergy and Spouses Committee, 1981-86.

During his retirement, Rev. Manderbach served as interim of Christ Church in Sharon, 1982-83; Christ Church in North Canaan, 1983-84; Saint Andrew’s in Kent, 1984-85; Trinity Church in Lime Rock, 1984-86 and 1992-93.

In addition to his wife, Judy, of 50 years, Rev. Dr. Manderbach is survived by a son, Aaron Manderbach Jr. and his wife, Marianne; two daughters, Judith M. White and her husband, R. Davis, and Linda M. Baker; a son-in-law, Stephen Chipman; nine grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his first wife, Emma, Rev. Dr. Manderbach was predeceased by a daughter, Carol M. Chipman; and by a son-in-law, Brian James Baker.

Funeral services will take place in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 351 Main St., Ridgefield on Thursday, May 10, at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow. 

Interment will take place in the Crypt of St. St. Stephen’s Church at the direction of the family. 

Memorial donations in Rev. Dr. Manderbach’s memory may be made to Manderbach Scholarship Fund, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, 409 Prospect St., New Haven, CT 06511; or to St. Stephen’s Endowment Fund, 351 Main St., Ridgefield, CT 06877. 

Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield is in charge of arrangements.